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My love affair with topical oils for skin and indeed, hair continues with the recent discovery of Tamanu oil. Once again the Remedica brand that brought this amazing oil to my attention. Used in Sensitive Visage and now also available as 100% oil, Tamanu has extraordinarily high levels of essential fatty acids which means it is a powerful skin anti-inflammatory and the potential for a strong healing effect on damaged skin.

The oil is derived from the nut of the Calophyllum inophyllum, a large evergreen tree native to East Africa, coastal India, the South Pacific and even Australia. The oil is green coloured with a “moss” type odour. The green colour is due to the high level of antioxidant phytochemicals in the oil. The nutritional profile of the oil shows up to 38% omega 6 essential fatty acids (EFAs), 0.5% omega 3 EFAs and phytochemicals with healing, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and even anti-viral activity.

As part of my research about Tamanu oil I did a search on You Tube and came up with some interesting videos. There is an amazing progressive healing pictorials using Tamanu oil on a severe scald – it did make me cringe to look at the open burn but the outcome was amazing. If you have the stomach for it, click here. Please note, seek medical advice before applying anything to an open burn as the exposed flesh is so susceptible to infection.

It is not only new burns that benefit from Tamanu oil. A 9 week study looking at the effect of Tamanu oil on significant old scars (over one year or more) showed a reduction in both scar length and width. Twice daily application for a 6 week period was enough to show obvious improvement. I find this quite exciting as old scars are generally really quite hard to minimize and so this effect is quite significant.
Other research has shown the following benefits:

• a soothing effect on damaged skin including sunburn, skin redness, bites and inflammation
• a regenerating effect on skin cells which promotes skin healing (wounds, burns, cracks, scars)
• an anti-bacterial effect which may assist with skin bacterial overgrowth in acne
• antioxidant which has a protective effect against DNA damage and free radical stress resulting from sun exposure
• moisturising and nourishing effects on the skin which can assist with dry, damaged skin – this has a normalizing effect on the protective acid mantle
• an increase in microcirculation which may assist with bruising

I know that we use Sensitive Visage to great effect on those with sensitive, dry and damaged skin but I would love to read comments from any reader that has used Tamanu oil for other skin issues.

Research reference: Dweck, A.C.: Calophyllum inophyllum – Tamanu oil the African, Asian, Polynesian and Pacific Panacea. International Journal of Cosmetic Science 24, 6, 1-8 (2002).

For me Summer is a time of colour and sparkle and so as soon as I saw Luna Glitter nail polish from Zoya, I had to have it. I mean what is better than glitter toenails when at the beach? The light reflecting qualities will make your toes sparkle so much that no-one will notice if your bikini line isn’t quite coiffed. Of course I jest but really I do have a passion for bright toenails and this Summer will see me with far more than a nude shade of nail. In Luna, Delilah and Blyss, these polishes glitter like never before:

Another product I have just flipped over recently is a new one from Remedica (and I have been waiting with bated breath for it to be released): Remedica Recovery Lift. It is described as an outerwear gel serum. One of the reasons I love it (apart from the divine orchid smell) is the versatility of use. With a light and non-greasy texture, it can be used as a makeup primer, eye gel and slow aging serum, under or over moisturisers or sunscreen. It imparts a smooth finish so that even mineral make up can be applied without issue. I also think this would be ideal as a serum for those with congestion or prone to acne as it is oil-free and full of healing ingredients.

Benefits of Remedica Recovery Lift:

• Light weight, oil free / non greasy, hydrating and glowing veil
• Contributes to the look of lifted – smooth skin
• Long term help in minimising the look of sun induced pigmentation and depth of wrinkles,
• Plumps surface skin cells and hydrates and locks in moisture,
• Provides an instant tonifying and revitalising effect.

This brings me to favorite things…apart from Christmas cake of which I have had much already, my favorite thing this year is my Slip Pillow Case. When I first got one, I could barely take it off my pillow to wash. I soon sorted this issue by not washing it at all…no just kidding, I bought another one so I never have to do without again.

Naturally I chose the pink cases as despite being an adult, it is still my favorite colour. In any case, I just love it and have bought one for my grandmother and mother for Christmas.

I would love to hear about your favorite things, new product discoveries and summer highlights.